Thinking about painting house shutters for an instant curb appeal upgrade? See how choosing Hale Navy transformed our dated red shutters into a classic, timeless look.
This site contains affiliate links. Please visit my disclaimer for more details.
From the minute we closed on our new house last summer, I have been dreaming about painting our exterior shutters navy blue. If you’re thinking about painting your house shutters, changing the color can make a huge impact. We recently swapped our red shutters for a classic navy—and I’m so glad we did!
I won’t pretend this was a DIY moment, even though my husband and I did paint the entire interior ourselves. We hired someone, and it was worth every single penny!
From Red to Navy Blue Shutters
Our shutters were red when we moved in, and while they weren’t terrible, they never really felt like us (aka ME! lol). The red was bold and technically coordinated with our brick, but it just wasn’t my style at all. Walking from the outside to the inside felt like you were entering a completely new world, since our entire house is decorated very coastal.
I knew I wanted something timeless and clean—something that felt classic but still fresh. Navy blue shutters felt like the perfect (and quite obvious!) fit.
Why I Chose Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
I kept coming back to Hale Navy. It’s one of those tried-and-true paint colors that designers always recommend, and for good reason. It’s deep and rich without feeling too dark, and it has just the right balance of warmth and coolness. Plus, it really pops against our lighter siding.
Hale Navy feels coastal without being too bright. It’s just elevated and classic.
I might be a little obsessed with this color. Over the years, we’ve painted nightstands, a console table, and even our basement cabinets in our old home Hale Navy. And we just finished painting the board and batten in our front entry living room Hale Navy too (post coming soon!). I guess you could say I have a lot of experience with this shade—and it never disappoints!
Why We Hired Pros (No DIY Here)
This was not a weekend project. Normally either my husband or I would tackle this project. We have a paint sprayer and know how to get a custom finish. However, the shutters had to be fully removed — some of them from the second story, which meant climbing onto the roof. Not happening.
We found a local painter who charged $375 to take them down, paint them all in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (we used Sherwin Williams Emerald Urethane in a satin finish and color matched), and reinstall them.
The job took a few hours and was worth every cent. I’m all for a good DIY, but sometimes it’s just better to let the pros handle it.
Could you save money by painting house shutters yourself? Definitely. But for us, the time, effort, and safety tradeoff made hiring help an easy choice.
The After: Classic and Coastal
Bistro Chairs | White Garden Stool
Once the shutters went back up, it completely changed the look of the house. The navy added depth and contrast, and it instantly felt more polished. It’s amazing how much a small change like shutter color can affect the overall vibe of a home.
They also tie in nicely with some other coastal accents on our front porch—our outdoor navy/white bistro chairs and navy striped front door mat—so everything feels a bit more pulled together now.
Tips If You’re Thinking About Blue Shutters
If you’re debating shutter colors, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Navy blue shutters look great with neutral siding colors (think white, cream, taupe, or even light gray).
- If your house gets a lot of direct sun, navy holds up well without fading too quickly.
- Consider sheen—satin or semi-gloss tends to look best on exterior shutters.
- Make sure the blue you pick doesn’t lean too purple or too gray. Hale Navy hits that sweet spot.
Pro Tip: Take a pic of your home’s exterior and build a mood board with your paint swatch so you can visualize how your shutters will look in the new color.
Bistro Chairs | Teak Side Table | White Nantucket Planter 16″ | Faux Topiary | Striped Rug
Painting house shutters is one of the easiest ways to boost curb appeal. Choosing Hale Navy gave our home an instant classic coastal makeover. It’s a small thing that made a huge difference!
FAQ: Painting House Shutters Hale Navy
Hale Navy is a deep, rich navy blue paint by Benjamin Moore. It’s known for its classic, versatile shade that works beautifully on exteriors, interiors, and furniture. It has a balanced undertone that doesn’t lean too purple or too gray.
Yes! Navy blue shutters are timeless and elegant. They pair well with many siding colors—from white and cream to gray or tan—and add contrast and character without feeling too bold or trendy.
Costs vary, but we paid $375 to have our shutters removed (two sets), painted in Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, and reinstalled. DIYing it can save money if you’re comfortable with the prep work and climbing ladders, but for us, hiring pros was worth it.
For the best results, yes. Removing shutters makes it easier to clean, sand, and paint all sides evenly, especially for second-story windows. It also helps avoid drips and mess on the house siding.
Most people choose satin or semi-gloss for exterior shutters. These finishes hold up well outdoors, are easy to clean, and give a subtle, polished look. We used a satin finish for ours.
Hale Navy is my absolute favorite blue paint, and I’ve used it a ton. We wanted something classic and sophisticated for our house shutters. Hale Navy is one of those designer-favorite colors that always looks good. It has enough depth to pop against light siding without feeling harsh or too dark.
This post is about painting house shutters — a hale navy makeover.
